Sound and The City

     Finally, my first podcast! I recorded it a couple nights ago. There were 3 or 4 helicopters hovering over the Wiliamsburg Bridge, so I just stuck my head out the window and recorded them with the binaural mic. For those who don’t know what binaural mics are, they’re just microphones disguised as headphones. They also record really great sound. When you listen to it with headphones it feels as if you’re in the place where the recording was done. Or as the dictionary explains it:

 binaural – Having to do with the perception of sound with both ears;Of or relating to sound transmission from two sources, which may vary acoustically, as in tone or pitch, to give a stereophonic effect.         

There, that’s a better definition. They’re also helpful if you want to be sneaky . . . people tend to stop their conversations when they see you walking by them with a mic in your hand, as opposed to you just walking by with a pair of headphones on. Or so they think. =)

do all things have a meaning?..i dont mean like”the great divine” meaning, just your normal ‘meaning’ ..i know, i know a little bit confusing(or you don’t get it at all),but it might make sence if think about it.:>

right now i’m sitting in chair listening to nothing, but ‘dead space’.sure u get the usaully loud car sounds or the friendly barking dog(why?!?..guess!;>),but i want to be somewhere else. a place where sounds are endless of colors and picture!it is here in my speacel place that i find my little ‘meaning’;so all in all if want to HOW to get there alllll you have to do i s this:stand up(if your sittting down)

-go outside(doesn’t matter where)

-make a left turn form where you are

-STOP

-don’t speak!!, make a 180 turn

-close your eyes and LISTEN!!!

do you know where you are??!

—j.b 

so far we’ve been doing pretty well…..and i have to say that the experience we had at eyebeam with michael was awesome. He’s a pretty cool guy, and Socialight is so cool. Although i missed the workshop on wednesday, i enjoyed myself. But to be honest, i had no clue of what we were going to eyebeam for; I was expecting daniel instead of michael. But i guess it was all for the best……and i am so getting myself socialight when i get my phone……so yea….bye

-E.S

I think, in spite of myself, I delayed this week. However odd it may sound, I’ve neglected to put myself into motion until today. So, my input on Friday’s visit to Eyebeam, our second in fact, has come now rather than earlier.  We met Michael, one of the founders of Socialight (link to your right) and the group was granted the opportunity to play around with the system. 

Michael briefed us on how he and friends had come upon the idea, and how Socialight was developed and operates. Daniel had also explained some of this to us, but until Friday when we were able to make our own accounts and sent roaming around Eyebeam’s complex to create our own “StickyShadows”, did I fully comprehend it. And holy shit, it’s awesome…not to mention free. How exactly does it work? I couldn’t possibly offer a proper explanation as Michael or Daniel did, but I will say what I learnt. The GPS tracking device in our cell phones targets our exact locations, so when we send a text, picture or audio message to any of our contacts that address as well as our message is sent out. Thus, whoever the message was sent to will receive when he/she happens to pass or stand directly where the message was taken. 

 Why is this brilliant? Well, how could it not be? You’re suddenly able to discover little facts or notes left by a friend or acquaintance, exactly where you are. Its a great way to communicate, and it can be used however you decide to take advantage of its possibilities. Socialight is yet another fascinating way to use our cell phones. But wait, you don’t even need a cell phone to be apart of Socialight, you can simply leave “StickyShadows” through your computer once you’ve registered as a member.  I think the class enjoyed Friday as much as I did.   

And I want to say, for when Daniel reads this, that I’m so, so sorry to hear about your grandmother and the class is missing you. We’re really hoping to see you next week.

 – SM